The Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks will go in search of a winning start to their playoff journey when they go head-to-head at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.
Both teams met at this same stage last season as the Pacers claimed a 4-2 series victory en route to reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2014.
Match preview
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Despite having a roster with limited playoff experience, the Indiana Pacers put the league on alert last season when they made it all the way to the East finals before they were swept 4-0 by eventual champions the Boston Celtics.
Many were on alert to see how the Pacers would fare this term, and their start to the campaign was hardly encouraging, as they needed 24 matches to get to 10 victories across the first month of proceedings.
By the All-Star break, Rick Carlisle's men had got themselves back on track with a 29-23 record, and their form since then only got better with 21 victories from the final 30 matches en route to their first 50-win season in a decade.
Off the back of All-Star nods in each of the last two seasons, Tyrese Haliburton recovered from an early slump to enjoy yet another splendid campaign, averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists—third-most in the league behind Trae Young and Nikola Jokic.
The Pacers wrapped up their regular-season journey with a thrilling 126-118 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game where both teams rested several players with their conference rankings already set in stone.
Unlike last season where they finished fifth, the Pacers' fourth-placed ranking this time around means they have home-court advantage for their upcoming series, and Saturday's hosts will be eager to get off to a perfect start.
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The Milwaukee Bucks had almost the textbook definition of an up-and-down regular-season campaign with almost as many highs as there were lows over the course of a largely demanding seven-month span.
Doc Rivers's men were 2-8 over their opening 10 games but rallied to get themselves back on track en route to winning the sophomore edition of the In-Season Tournament by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final.
Having lost six of their last eight matches in March, the Bucks put together one of the best finishing laps of any NBA team, winning each of their final eight matches, half of which came by double-digit margins.
Surpassing Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson for the most seasons averaging 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoyed another impressive individual campaign with the Bucks.
However, the 'Greek Freak' will be without his main sidekick, Damian Lillard, for the start of the playoffs and will need to be at his absolute best if his side are to avoid a first-round playoff exit for the second year running.
Saturday's visitors came out on top in all but one of their four regular-season matchups against the hosts and will make the journey to Indianapolis with real belief.
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Team News
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Isaiah Jackson is ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles, making him the Indiana Pacers' only guaranteed absentee for this weekend's affair.
However, Ben Sheppard could also miss out here having been unavailable for the home side's clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a toe problem.
Damian Lillard is ruled out for the Milwaukee Bucks with a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, but the point guard is expected to return to action at some stage during the playoffs.
Kevin Porter Jr (wrist) and Gary Trent Jr (knee) were absent from the visitors' season finale against the Detroit Pistons, although both men should be back to feature in this one alongside Jericho Sims.
Fresh from a much-needed rest in the aforementioned game, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be targeting another dominant display in Saturday's fixture after tallying a combined 120 points across the most recent four editions.
Indiana Pacers possible starting five:
Haliburton, Nembhard; Nesmith, Siakam; Turner
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Rollins, Prince; Kuzma, Antetokounmpo; Lopez
We say: Pacers to win by 6+ points
While the Bucks have dominated recent meetings between Saturday's opponents, this weekend's clash represents a tough assignment nonetheless, especially with the absence of Damian Lillard.
We are backing the home side to come out on top and take a 1-0 series lead when all is said and done.
Adepoju Marvellous
